The British Are Coming
Mozzer offends, Hold Steady get "Rough," and new music from The Courteeners
It seems our beloved Mozzer has pissed off yet another ethnic group. In a video taped message to the people of Israel, Morrissey expressed his intentions to play a 20 year long promised concert in Tel-Aviv. Morrissey said he'd never been to Israel and was very excited. The success of his last two albums and consequent world tours had left him very little occasion to visit. The "Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel" wrote an open letter to Morrissey regarding his complete "lack of understanding" when it came to issue of "celebrating Israel." Let us hope that when Morrissey throws a sweat laden shirt into the crowd the two sides fight it out peacefully.
Brooklyn bad boys The Hold Steady have signed to UK imprint Rough Trade for the European release of their upcoming album. Singer Craig Finn said, "From The Smiths to The Strokes, they have consistently released music from great artists and we are honored to be a part of the roster. Rough Trade records have been part of my own collection since I started buying my own records in the early 1980s."
The UK's Sonic Youth, otherwise known as Swervedriver, have laid out a whole slew of tour dates across this great land. Kicking things off at Coachella, Swervedriver will continue the US tour with Film School and HEAVE favorites British Sea Power on selected dates.
The highly anticipated documentary about Manchester depression pioneers Joy Division will see the light of day on DVD June 10. The film will also be made available to Zune users that same day. In related news, the film Control, based on Ian Curtis' wife's autobiography, will be released June 3rd.
Leeds based pop-rock sensations The Pigeon Detectives release Emergency on May 26th. This is the follow up to Wait For Me.
Liverpool's The Wombats have inked a deal with Metal dirthead label Roadrunner Records for the much anticipated US release of debut The Wombats Proudly Present... A Guide To Love, Loss, and Desperation. Expect to "move to New York" June 24 and look out for some US dates as well.
Formed in Manchester in 2006, The Courteeners have made a quick name for themselves. The group's first single, "Cavorting," quickly sold out its first printing, which then garnered The Courteeners the title of "successors to Oasis." If you didn't know, England is constantly on the look-out for the next Oasis - the all-encompassing band that can appeal to school children, janitors and the Royal Family. I doubt The Courteeners will reach that status, but their innocent and reflective songs are evidence of fantastic things to come. Debut album St. Jude was recorded by famed producer Stephen Street (Kaiser Chiefs, Smiths, Blur) and has yet to garner a US release date.
The Courteeners - Not Nineteen Forever
Posted by Joe Roth on Apr 23, 2008 @ 12:00 am